For the FathersMinistry

1Peter1.7In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Peter tells us that there is something more precious than gold. Gold was and is still known as the one of the most valuable commodities one can own. What does Peter compare gold to? In this verse, it is the tested genuineness of faith. That the believers of that day had been grieved by various trials. These trials had tested their faith.

They were enduring real hardship. Peter tells us at the beginning of his letter that he is writing to “To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia”. The elect exiles were Jewish Christians. We know this because they were in the Dispersion.

Being Jewish believers, they were probably not allowed in the synagogue, and they were probably shunned by their fellow Jews both socially and financially. It would have been hard to make a living as well as enjoy a life of community.

Peter tells them that these grievous trials that tested the genuineness of their faith was more precious than gold.